How to put Saanich’s literary references on the map

The Victoria Writers Festival is putting local literature on the map, both figuratively and literally, with its latest project.

While the festival itself is still months away, taking place Nov. 7 and 8, director Sara Cassidy expects the public to have added dozens of book references to the newly launched Literary Map of Greater Victoria before then.

Each quill marks a geographic location referenced in a published work of literature, such as Mount Douglas secondary, which was the setting for Rebecca Godfrey’s 2001 novel The Torn Skirt.

“We’re open to submissions. References can be from lines of poetry, sections of poems or stories that are specifically in the Greater Victoria region, and we hope the map will grow and grow to include the South Island and the Gulf Islands, there’s no limit,” Cassidy said.

With a soft launch the website is already boasting two dozen quills, though just two were in Saanich as of mid-July.

Cassidy knows there are plenty of busy bookworms in Greater Victoria who will be eager to submit additional references.

Another project up and running is the local libraries set up at cafés, laundromats, doctors’ offices and other spaces where people can embrace a few words.

“We want to spread local literature around because we have so much,” Cassidy said.

The first two local libraries are at the Fairfield Market and the Spiral Café with a goal of building a few around town, which happens with donations. Contact victoriawritersfestival@gmail.com to donate books.